L&S 2013 year in review

December 6th 2013 Simon Kuran
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From detecting neutrinos deep in Antarctic ice to teaching local youth about Native American culture and environmental stewardship — and everything in between — 2013 was another busy and productive year in the College of Letters & Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The college welcomed new faces and tearfully said goodbye to old friends, while continuing to deliver on its commitment to extraordinary research, teaching and service across the liberal arts.

The following are just a few of the stories that shaped 2013 in L&S:

Scholz named 12th dean of Letters & Science

L&S Dean John Karl Scholz first joined the UW-Madison faculty in 1988. (Jeff Miller, University Communications) L&S Dean John Karl Scholz first joined the UW-Madison faculty in 1988. (Photo by Jeff Miller, University Communications)

John Karl Scholz, the Nellie June Gray Professor of Economic Policy, became the 12th dean of the College of Letters & Science in July. Scholz succeeded Gary Sandefur, who led L&S for nine years.

IceCube Collaboration announces major breakthrough

The project, headquartered at the Wisconsin IceCube Particle Astrophysics Center at UW-Madison, announced the observation of 28 very high-energy particle events that constitute the first solid evidence for astrophysical neutrinos from cosmic accelerators.

Congratulating our truly shining students

Drew Birrenkott is one of 32 American students to be awarded a 2014 Rhodes Scholarship. (Bryce Richter, University Communications) Drew Birrenkott is one of 32 American students to be awarded a 2014 Rhodes Scholarship. (Photo by Bryce Richter, University Communications)

L&S is home to outstanding students who take their educations and apply them to challenges facing our world. Two of those students won major national awards this year. Senior Drew Birrenkott, who is triple majoring in political science, biochemistry and biomedical engineering, won a 2014 Rhodes Scholarship, joining an elite group of students in receiving one of the top honors in higher education. Meanwhile, Andrew Bulovsky, a senior majoring in political science and communication arts, won a 2014 Marshall Scholarship and will study at the London School of Economics.

Continuing our commitment to the Wisconsin Idea 

Students work on solar-powered boats as part of ChemCamp's "Fun with Chemistry Inventions" week earlier this summer. (Department of Chemistry) Students work on solar-powered boats as part of ChemCamp's "Fun with Chemistry Inventions" week earlier this summer. (Photo courtesy Department of Chemistry)

L&S departments and students continue to embrace the Wisconsin Idea by sharing their knowledge with youth in the community. The Institute for Chemical Education’s ChemCamps program and the Office of Service Learning and Community Based Research’s Mother Earth Explorers club are just two examples.

Graduation, then the trip of a lifetime

How did Erin Luhmann (M.A.'13, Journalism and Mass Communication) celebrate completing her master’s degree? By traveling to Africa with Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof — and blogging along the way— after winning the Times' "Win a Trip with Nick Kristof" contest.

Historic hire Xiong adds Hmong American expertise

Yang Sao Xiong is working on a research project on social support systems and their effects on health in Hmong communities. (Sarah Morton, College of Letters & Science) Yang Sao Xiong is working on a research project on social support systems and their effects on health in Hmong communities. (Photo by Sarah Morton, College of Letters & Science)

In the spring, UW-Madison hired Yang Sao Xiong for what is believed to be the first tenure-track position specifically dedicated to the field of Hmong American studies in the United States. After spending this year on the prestigious Anna Julia Cooper Post-Doctoral Fellowship, he will begin a joint appointment in the Asian American Studies Program and the School of Social Work.

Archaeologists return to mysterious Aztalan site in Wisconsin

Research groups from UW-Madison, Michigan State University and Northern Iowa University — including a team of UW-Madison students — spent the summer digging at the Aztalan site near Lake Mills, Wis., trying to learn more about the Mississippian culture.

Madsen family’s legacy strengthens Danish studies

The Madsen Family visited Van Hise Hall in October to celebrate their heritage and commit a gift to the College of Letters & Science. Front (left to right): Renate Madsen, Paul Madsen. Back (left to right): Daughter Karin Drescher, son-in-law Peter Drescher, daughter Nikki Madsen, grandson Thomas Madsen, granddaughter Anna Drescher and son Tom Madsen. The Madsen Family visited Van Hise Hall in October to celebrate their heritage and commit a gift to the College of Letters & Science. Front (left to right): Renate Madsen, Paul Madsen. Back (left to right): Daughter Karin Drescher, son-in-law Peter Drescher, daughter Nikki Madsen, grandson Thomas Madsen, granddaughter Anna Drescher and son Tom Madsen.

Paul and Renate Madsen, both doctors and faculty members in the School of Medicine and Public Health, made a $2 million gift to establish a professorship in Danish studies. Paul Madsen died Nov. 4, 2013, but his legacy will live on through him and his wife’s generosity.

Historic Science Hall celebrates 125 years

The current Science Hall replaced a sandstone-faced, wooden building that burned Dec. 1, 1884. (Bryce Richter, University Communications) The current Science Hall replaced a sandstone-faced, wooden building that burned Dec. 1, 1884. (Photo by Bryce Richter, University Communications)

The striking red brick building, which originally housed all the sciences on campus, celebrated its 125th anniversary. A National Historic Landmark, it’s now home to the Department of Geography.

Finding fossils at the Cradle of Humankind

Alia Gurtov was part of a team of archaeologists chosen for their small size and high skills to retrieve a trove of fossilized bones from a tight space in a South African cave. Alia Gurtov was part of a team of archaeologists chosen for their small size and high skills to retrieve a trove of fossilized bones from a tight space in a South African cave.

Professor of Anthropology John Hawks and graduate student Alia Gurtov spent part of the fall participating in a wildly successful archaeological expedition into a South African cave. Gurtov helped haul hundreds of fossilized bones — likely the remains of several distant relatives of humans — through a rock crevice barely 18 centimeters wide.

In memoriam

Gerda Lerner, shown during an interview in 2012, moved to UW-Madison in 1980 to establish a doctoral program in women’s history. (Photo courtesy Renata Kellar) Gerda Lerner, shown during an interview in 2012, moved to UW-Madison in 1980 to establish a doctoral program in women’s history. (Photo courtesy Renata Kellar)

The college said goodbye to a host of beloved faculty and staff members in 2013. Among them: John Boll (library and information studies), George Box (statistics), Bryan Hendricks (psychology), Jerry Kaufman (urban and regional planning), Ilona Kombrink (music), Gerda Lerner (history), Jerry Marwell (sociology), Donald Nichols (economics and public affairs) and Stephen Rader (physics). They are gone, but not forgotten.